No plan to spend N60bn on farmers’ mobile phones–FG

The Federal Government has denied reports that it was planning to spend N60bn to buy mobile phones for farmers. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina said this in a statement on Friday.Adeshina, however, confirmed that the FG was planning to distribute 10 million mobile phones to farmers, but failed to disclose the exact amount the purchase would cost.He explained that the mobile phones would be used to scale up the access of farmers to improved seeds and fertilizers to millions of farmers directly. He said, “My attention has been drawn to the issue of N60bn to be spent on phones for farmers as reported on some media sites and papers. “The information is absolutely incorrect. My permanent secretary was totally misquoted out of context. There is no N60bn for phones anywhere.” He noted that the policy the ministry was promoting was to get mobile phones to farmers as part of its agricultural transformation agenda to connect farmers to information.Others are to expand their access to markets, improve their access to savings and loans, and help them to adapt to climate change dynamics that affect them and their livelihood.He said, “Nigeria has 110 million cell phones, the largest in Africa. But there is a huge divide: the bulk of the phones are in the urban areas.“The rural areas are heavily excluded. For agriculture, which employs 70 per cent of the population, that means the farmers are excluded and marginalised. “In today’s world, the most powerful tool is a mobile phone. As the Minister of Agriculture, I want the entire rural space of Nigeria and farmers to be included, not excluded, from advantages of the mobile phone revolution. The Federal Government has denied reports that it was planning to spend N60bn to buy mobile phones for farmers.The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina said this in a statement on Friday.Adeshina, however, confirmed that the FG was planning to distribute 10 million mobile phones to farmers, but failed to disclose the exact amount the purchase would cost.He explained that the mobile phones would be used to scale up the access of farmers to improved seeds and fertilizers to millions of farmers directly.He said, “My attention has been drawn to the issue of N60bn to be spent on phones for farmers as reported on some media sites and papers.“The information is absolutely incorrect. My permanent secretary was totally misquoted out of context. There is no N60bn for phones anywhere.”He noted that the policy the ministry was promoting was to get mobile phones to farmers as part of its agricultural transformation agenda to connect farmers to information.Others are to expand their access to markets, improve their access to savings and loans, and help them to adapt to climate change dynamics that affect them and their livelihood.He said, “Nigeria has 110 million cell phones, the largest in Africa. But there is a huge divide: the bulk of the phones are in the urban areas.“The rural areas are heavily excluded. For agriculture, which employs 70 per cent of the population, that means the farmers are excluded and marginalised.“In today’s world, the most powerful tool is a mobile phone. As the Minister of Agriculture, I want the entire rural space of Nigeria and farmers to be included, not excluded, from advantages of the mobile phone revolution.” The distribution of the phones, he noted, would be facilitated through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communications Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the Ministry of Women Affairs. ”The distribution of the phones, he noted, would be facilitated through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communications Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Has Kanayo O. Kanayo dumped acting for pastoral work?

The number of Nollywood acts who are joining the gospel ministry is on the increase.  The latest to join the growing list which includes, Peter Bunor, Larry Koldsweat, Eucharia Anunobi, Liz Benson, Pat Attah, etc. is Kanayo O Kanayo who may have dumped his political ambitions for ministry work. Early in December, Kanayo was a guest deliverance minister at a three-day crusade organised by the Church Mission Worldwide.

Rochas Okorocha’s daughter’s wedding turns political carnival

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Nigeria’s eastern state of Imo, has given out his first daughter, Uloma away in marriage to his commissioner for lands and survey, Uche Nwosu. The marriage was consummated today at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Owerri, capital of Imo state, following the traditional wedding at the bride’s family home in Ogboko, 3 January.Among the dignitaries at the traditional wedding were former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Governor Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto and Senator Chris Ngige.Uloma, as the first daughter of Rochas, runs Okorocha’s charity foundation. Uche, 37 years old, also used to work for Okorocha when he was the President of the Foundation. The first-son-in-law of Imo state hails from Umuokwe, Eziama-Obaire in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.He was born on the 8 August, 1975. He had his early education at the Shehu Sanda Kerimi Primary School Maiduguri between 1982 and 1988 and finished his secondary education the Government Secondary School, Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre, Imo State in 1994. Uche then studied Urban and Regional Planning at the Imo State University and graduated in 2000. At the white wedding on 3rd January  former President Olusegun Obasanjo prayed God to bless the couple, and urged them to love each other.In his sermon, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Julius Emegwa urged the groom to love his wife “as Christ loves the church” and the bride to be submissive to her husband.

Emegwa also enjoined them to tolerate and love each other, and noted that without love, marriage would not stand.Obasanjo advised Governor Okorocha not to be deterred by criticism of his performance. Obasanjo, who said that Okorocha was bound to receive criticisms, urged him to remain focused on the programmes and policies of his administration aimed at developing the state.He reminded the governor that the more good he did, the more criticisms he would attract, citing Jesus Christ as an example. The former president noted that Jesus was an epitome of goodness, yet he was crucified by his enemies.The National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, represented President Good luck Jonathan at the occasion. Sen. Osita Izunaso, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Diocese, Dr Anthony Obinna as well as Governors Peter Obi of Anambra, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, former governor of Imo, Achike Udenwa and that of old Anambra, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife attended the wedding. Also present were representatives of governors of Rivers, Ogun, Sokoto State, Kebbi, Kogi, Katsina State, Bauchi, Lagos State, Bayelsa and Nasarawa.The father of the bride, Okorocha stressed the need for unity in the country, adding that the support he had received from people from all parts the country showed that Nigerians were becoming more united. “I received supports and gifts from almost all the governors, including those that were represented.“In fact, Nigeria is marching forward and very soon we will become the greatest nation in mankind if we continue like this,” he said.

Sunny Ade’s ex-guitarist, Fatoke Caught with Cocaine

Fatoke Abiodun, Nigeria’s veteran guitarist, who played alongside legendary musician, King Sunny Ade for three decades, has been arrested with cocaine, the anti-drug agency said on Saturday. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said that Abiodun was arrested on 1 January while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. “We have made the first arrest in the new year. The suspect, a guitarist by name Fatoke Abiodun was found with 1.575kg of cocaine. The drug was discovered in the false bottom of his luggage during the outward screening of passengers to Italy,” said ,NDLEA Commander the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza UmarThe agency said the 62-year old grandfather with four wives and many children, is helping narcotic investigators handling the case. “Fatoke has owned up to the alleged crime blaming his involvement on financial hardship,” said the agency’s spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju.NDLEA quoted Fatoke as saying: “I played for King Sunny Ade for 30 years before I was unceremoniously retired in 2007. I was unprepared and without severance money I saw the bitter side of life.”He said his drug trafficking attempt is his first as he did it out of frustration.“Because at my age I could not provide for my family. I am ashamed of myself,” he was quoted as saying.NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade described the involvement of Fatoke in drug trafficking as sad and disappointing.“It is sad and disappointing for a grandfather to be involved in drug trafficking. This is a bad legacy to his children. This is a good start for the agency in the year and a sign that the days ahead will be tough for drug traffickers. The agency will continue to handle every case in accordance with the NDLEA Act,” Giade was quoted as saying.The suspect will be charged to court for unlawful exportation and possession of narcotics, NDLEA said.

Nigerian Professor Maurice Iwu & Other Scientists Record Breakthrough in HIV/AIDS Treatment.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a breakthrough in the treatment of HIV/AIDS with the discovery and approval of a drug developed by a team of scientists including Nigeria’s Professor Maurice Iwu. The new drug, an oral botanical drug called Crofelemer is the second botanical, and an orally administered drug to be approved by FDA since 2006. The first botanical drug to be approved in the United States was a topical green tea extract, Veregen, in 2006. Both botanical drugs meet all US pharmaceutical requirements and can be dispensed only by prescription. The research which led to the development of Crofelemer was carried out in the United States by a team of scientists including Professor Iwu, an acclaimed pharmacologist and tropical medicine expert. According to Vanguard, the approval of Crofelemer was annouced on New Year’s Eve by the US Food and Drug Administration. It is used to treat HIV -associated diarrhea.“Crofelemer is the first drug to be approved in the United States to treat HIV -associated diarrhea. It is derived from the latex of the South American sangre de drago tree (dragon’s blood, Croton lechleri). A red, blood-resembling latex leaks from the tree when its bark is cut, and it is this substance that contains the novel polymolecular structure crofelemer, originally developed and standardized by Shaman Pharmaceuticals. Fulyzag (Crofelemer) is the second botanical drug approved by the agency. The drug’s approval marks an important event in the decades-long history of Crofelemer.” This is welcoming news especially for Nigerians who feel proud that one of our own was on the team that developed this drug. It is hoped that more breakthroughs in HIV/AIDS treatment would be found soon.

280 killed, 1600 injured in road crashes in December –FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps[FRSC] yesterday said that about 280 people perished and 1,600 injured in road crashes across the country from December 19 to January 4, 2013. Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Osita Chidoka, made the disclosure while addressing  newsmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after carrying out aerial surveillance from the South-East Zone to Abuja. He said these figures showed an improvement when compared with last year, adding that over 480 road crashes were recorded by the Corps within the same period. The FRSC boss disclosed that over 36,000 vehicles were stopped, 13,000 were booked, while 26,000 drivers of other vehicles were cautioned. Still speaking on the enforcement exercise on its Ember month programme tagged “ Operation Zero Tolerance”, he said 399 offenders were arraigned before the FRSC Mobile Court , noting that 370 were fined while 25 persons were discharged and acquitted by the court.He further explained that only one person was sentenced to jail. Chidoka also stated that in the last ten years, the Corps has succeeded in reducing the spate of road crashes during the yuletide and New Year festivities in Nigeria. He added that the Corps efforts in managing the traffic gridlock across the country during this season have been very successful. According to him, “the FRSC has successfully brought down the rate of road crashes in Nigeria in the last ten years.”He identified lessons and experienced gathered in the past operations, improved data collection and analysis, increased staff strength in the last one and half years and improved monitoring through the use of technology introduced by the FRSC management as being responsible for the success stories recorded by the Corps.

20 Prisoners Escape From Sagamu Jail break

An early morning jail break in Sagamu, Ogun state yesterday led to the escape of 20 inmates of the prison.  During the melee that trailed the jailbreak, many of the inmates as well as prison officials were seriously injured. Saturday Sun gathered that  many inmates were killed during the jailbreak which caught the authorities unaware.During the revolt, many dangerous weapons including missiles were freely used prompting the authorities to draft in members of the armed squad to quel the riot. A large hole was dug on the prison wall through which they escaped after a stimulated revolt by the prisoners. As a result of the development, many of the prison officials who  were suspected  to have connived with some inmates were already  being interrogated by the police.The Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Mr. Zakari Ohinoyi Ibrahim, who  confirmed the  jailbreak after an unscheduled visit, told journalists that four of the runaway prisoners had been re-arrested and brought back to the prison. He also disclosed that an  investigation team had been constituted to  ascertain the remote causes of the jailbreak.His words: “The  essence of the visit is a follow-up to the seriousness we attach to the issue of security because security is one of our major mandates in the prisons and this administration has said it over and over again that we would not tolerate any breach of security, especially when it points at any form of negligence. “If it goes beyond administrative negligence with criminality, we’ll bring in the police and other sister agencies responsible so that we prove that we’ll not tolerate any lack of commitment to job, especially the one that touches on security.“So, we have some issues here and that’s why I’m here. The issue is that there have been some escapes here. So, I came personally and even before coming I’ve sent a high-powered team here and I’m following up to ensure that the right thing is done and that any staff found culpable would face the full wrath of the law which will include dismissal and prosecution. “What I can tell you now, because full investigation is on, is we have about 20 escapees and some of them have been arrested now and full investigation is on.About four of them have been arrested. But what you must just go with now is that any staff that is found culpable would be dealt with accordingly.” He refused to confirm casualty figure, saying: “Don’t worry, I’ve told you investigation is on and you should also know that when there is an incident like this, there should be full investigation. Investigations are on. I’ve addressed the staff and I’ve told them we would not give room for half commitment. “The commitment has to be full, total and even with the situation we have in the country now, we would not want anybody who would unnecessarily want to embarrass us because if you are not ready, you move. There is no choice.You either remain and go by the law and work hard with full commitment. We are fully committed to this job and we want to work as a team but if you want to distract us or bring things that would embarrass us, we’ll tell you to go. But it will be better for those who don’t want to stay to go than for us to push them out because we are serious. Security is not something that we’ll play with at all.” According to him, the launched investigations would  assist  the authorities  to determine  a lot of things.“External influence? Investigations would prove that. In terms of the structure, you can see the wall is solid and on top we have fence wire. Everything is okay but we are talking about the human beings now, the human factor and I’m telling you that if investigation indicts any person that has not done his job the way he’s supposed to do it, it can lead to dismissal and even prosecution and the person may change uniform”, he stated.

Lagos To Demolish 50 Building

Lagos State Government seems to have concluded plans to demolish 50 houses that failed integrity test conducted by the government on buildings in Jakande estate, in Isolo area of the state. The state government explained that the demolition of the 50 houses, consisting of two and three storey buildings became necessary after failing the integrity test conducted on them by the Lagos State Raw Materials Testing Agency after a two-storey building collapsed in the estate in November 2012, killing two sisters.A top official of the state government said the collapse of the two-storey building led the state government to conduct integrity test on several buildings in the estate built by ex-governor Lateef Jakande 30 years ago, through the Lagos Building Investment Corporation, LBIC. To perfect the arrangement, a stakeholders’ meeting was organised by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA and was presided over by its General Manager, Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu.At the meeting, the LASEMA boss was said to have told them that the buildings had failed integrity test and needed to be demolished to avert disaster, explaining to the representatives of affected residents the reason the buildings would have to be demolished.  It was gathered that modalities for compensation and resettlement were then discussed by the parties involved and it was agreed that another stakeholders’ meeting be fixed for Monday and Thursday next week to fine-tune final arrangement.The Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan, who reacted to the development, said the issue of relocation of affected residents needed to be put at the front burner to know what it would entail.   Bamigbetan noted that the issue of insurance needs to be looked at when compensating the residents, adding that residents of the affected buildings pay certain amount of money on yearly basis as insurance.

67 Passengers Started Dana First Flight

Seven months after its operation was shut down due to a fatal crash in Lagos that claimed the lives of 163 people,  Dana Air yesterday returned to the Nigerian skies amidst fanfare. It recommenced operations with a Lagos-Abuja service at about 10.10am with 67 passengers who expressed joy that the return of the airline would stimulate healthy competition that will benefit travellers.On board the MD 83 jet were comedians, journalists, aviation union officials and the airline’s board members, among others. Basket Mouth, Harrisong, Dipp, Quba Dance Crew; the Nigeria’s street dance champions were among several other occupants of the plane. A director of Dana Group, Francis Ogboro while commenting on its return to service, assured the flying public of utmost safety in its entire operations. He described the June 3, 2012 crash as an unfortunate and devastating blow.Ogboro expressed joy that the airline had survived it, adding that the accident has galvanized the company to improve its entire operations. He also disclosed that the airline might expand and change its fleet in the next six months, but insisted that the MD83 aircraft was still being flown in major countries of the world including the United States of America (USA).“In the past six years that we commenced flight operations, we’ve never played with the maintenance of our aircraft and safety of the passengers and we will continue to do that to ensure that we give Nigerians a safe aircraft for our passengers to fly with. “We are expanding our fleet. It is not impossible that we bring in some other aircraft types as well.Hopefully, in the next six months, we will bring in some new aircraft, may be Boeing 737 or others. But I re-emphasise, there is nothing wrong with the MD 83 aircraft.” On the two-month deadline given the airline by government to tidy up the payment of compensation to families of the crash victims, Ogboro assured that the airline would meet the deadline.He, however, explained that the payment of all compensation to the beneficiaries would not come from the airline, rather from the insurance companies. “The payment of the insurance due to the crashed families is not something that will come from Dana Air pocket. We are fully insured. I can assure you that our insurance companies led by Lloyds of London have made adequate arrangement to pay all the families involved in the crash.“If after two months, payments have not been made, it’s not because Dana Air insurance has not come up with the money to pay.” He assured that all the passengers on board the ill-fated plane were properly insured by its insurance companies both at home and abroad and that the insurers had made adequate arrangement to pay all the families involved in the crash. Ogboro noted that about  90 per cent of the bereaved families had received the initial $30,000 compensation, while about eight families had applied for the remaining $70,000 compensation as at two weeks ago.

I Am Nt Wanted By The Police - IYANYA

Iyanya has denied reports police officers were looking for him, muttering on phone “Don’t mind them, I am in Abuja.”Reigning Afro hip hop act, Iyanya is allegedly wanted by the Nigerian Police, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, in connection with the case of fraud brought against him by popular show organiser,  Opa Williams. Already, Iyanya’s manager, Ubi-Franklin Ekpong is said to be currently under arrest at Mile 3 Police Division,in the Garden city. Opa Williams,the producer of Nigeria’s foremost comedy show, ‘Nite of a Thousand Laughs’ reported Iyanya to the police for allegedly collecting N1.7 million from him being payment for the singer’s  performance at  ‘Nite of a Thousand Laughs’ shows which held in Benin  and Port Harcourt  few days ago. Unfortunately, the Kukere crooner never showed up at any  of the shows. According to our sources, what infuriated Williams was the fact that Iyanya actually arrived Port Harcourt ahead of the show on that fateful day(Monday)only for him to disappear minutes later with his cell phones permanently switched off. “He has caused me a lot of embarrassment, as people who paid to come and watch him went home disappointed. For 17 years, we have been organizing Nite of A Thousand Laughs and we have built a large followership, I will not allow anybody to destroy the credibility we have as people who deliver on their promises. That’ why we are going to pursue this case (legally) to a logical conclusion and ensure this is the last time Iyanya would do this to anybody.” Williams stated.Adding, he said ,“When Iyanya failed to show up at Benin edition, which held on December 26, he called to apologise,  promising however to make it up with the Port-Harcourt and Bonny shows. But again, he did not keep to his word.”Showtime gathered  that Iyanya shunned Opa Williams’ event, but performed earlier at another  show  which held the same day in Port-Harcourt and featured Timaya.Confirming the buzz, Williams’ media Company, Media Image Managers, said, “We are aware of the issue between Opa Williams and hip hop act, Iyanya. The parties are at the moment at Mile 3 Police Division in Port Harcourt. Our client has informed us he is seeking redress in court. However, there are moves to resolve the matter amicably. It is sad that Iyanya would behave in such an unprofessional manner, but then, the police are handling the matter well.”